Audio broadcasting hat

ABSTRACT

A hat incorporates an audio system configured to externally broadcast audio stored by the audio system. The hat includes a digital audio player such as an MP3 player or the like that is connected to speakers of the audio system. The speakers are mounted in pivoting flaps of the hat such that the flaps and thus the speakers are movable into an open position and a closed position. In the open position the speakers are positioned to externally broadcast audio and in the closed position the speakers are positioned to internally play audio for the wearer or not play audio at all. The hat also incorporates user controls for the digital audio player in the brim of the hat. The hat may also include a light system that is controlled by an integral light controller for various light effects with a user control incorporated in the brim of the hat. The light system preferably includes one or more LEDs that are mounted on a front of the hat and connected to the light controller. The light controller may be associated with the audio system to provide light effects in concert with the audio being played.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to novelty hats and, more particularly, to a hat incorporating an audio broadcasting system.

2. Background Information

The prior art is replete with many types of helmets, hats, headgear and the like that have incorporated speakers and/or audio systems therein for personal listening by the user. This has not been a recent development. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,105 issued Aug. 22, 1978, there is described a full head motorcycle helmet incorporating speakers that are connectable to an audio source. The internally embedded speakers allow the wearer to hear the audio from the audio source. Because of the technological state of the art in 1978, the audio source is a magnetic tape player. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,657 issued Aug. 4, 1992 there is described another full head helmet incorporating a sound device comprising one or more speakers mounted in a liner of the helmet.

Other types of helmets have also incorporated personal listening sound systems. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,421 issued Nov. 7, 1995 there is described a sports helmet having a downwardly projecting speaker mounted on the helmet proximate each ear of the wearer. As such, the speakers do not project the sound directly into the ear of the wearer. The speakers are connectable to a portable audio device. Another sports helmet incorporating speakers for personal audio listening is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,970,691 issued Nov. 29, 2005.

Furthermore, various caps have been patented that allow personal listening of audio. U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,044 issued Oct. 11, 1988 describes a hat with audio headphones releasably mounted in earflaps of the hat that cover the wearer's ears. Another cap is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,160 issued Mar. 9, 1999. This cap has a tape player positioned in the crown of the cap with speakers positioned in flexible flaps extending from the cap that fail adjacent ears of the wearer. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,615 issued May 16, 2006 a cap incorporates a personal audio player in the brim of the cap.

Moreover, various headbands have been devised that incorporate personal listening systems. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,434 issued Sep. 14, 1999 describes a headband having integral speakers that are connectable to or in communication with a conventional source of audio signals such as a radio, tape player, CD player, cellular telephone or the like. U.S. Patent Publication 2006/0185062 published Aug. 24, 2006 describes a headband incorporating an MP3 player. Earphones are connectable to the MP3 player for personal audio listening.

As is evident from the foregoing discussion, prior art headwear only allows the wearer to listen to the audio. There are times and/or venues, however, when a wearer may want to have others listen to the audio. One such venue is a sporting event. Sporting events are occasions where team support is shown in various manners such as wearing team colors and/or logos, dressing in a certain way, painting bodies or body parts, as well as other manners. The playing of a team fight song or other “team” song could be one manner of showing team support. However, it is impractical to carry an audio system to the sporting arena, field or place of play. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a portable audio system that can be worn rather than be carried.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a wearable externally broadcasting audio system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a hat having an externally broadcasting audio system. The externally broadcasting audio system includes a digital audio player such as an MP3 player or the like that is connected to one or more speakers of the audio system. The speakers are mounted to the hat so as to externally broadcast audio from the digital audio player to the surrounding area.

In one form, the speakers are mounted in pivoting flaps of the hat such that the flaps and thus the speakers are movable into an open position and a closed position. In the open position the speakers are positioned to externally broadcast audio and in the closed position the speakers are positioned to internally play audio for the wearer or not play audio at all.

In one form, the present audio broadcasting hat incorporates user controls for the digital audio player in the brim of the hat.

In one form, the present audio broadcasting hat may also include a light system that is controlled by an integral light controller for various light effects with a user control incorporated in the brim of the hat. The light system preferably includes a light controller that is connected to the lights. The light controller may be associated with the audio system to provide light effects in concert with the audio being played.

In one form, the present audio broadcasting hat has one of various colors, numbers, names, symbols, indicia or insignias for a particular team, driver, association, fraternity, event, player or the like in order to correspond to particular audio being broadcast for the particular team, driver, association, fraternity, event, player or the like. As well, any lights of the present audio broadcasting hat may be a particular color to likewise correspond to the particular audio being broadcast or particular team, driver, player or the like being promoted.

In one form, the digital audio player may be pre-provided with various audio (e.g. songs, jingles, talk, commentary or the like) that is particular to the particular team, driver, association, fraternity, event, player or the like that may or may not be (but preferably is) in association with the indicia or insignia provided on the present audio broadcasting hat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features, advantages and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an audio broadcasting hat fashioned in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the speakers of the present audio broadcasting hat shown in a closed or non-broadcasting position;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the audio broadcasting hat of FIG. 1 with the speakers thereof shown in a closed or non-broadcasting position;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the audio broadcasting hat of FIG. 2 with the speakers thereof shown in a closed or non-broadcasting position;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the audio broadcasting hat of FIG. 1 with the speakers thereof in an open or broadcasting position; and

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the audio broadcasting hat of FIG. 1 particularly showing the speaker mount with the integral speaker stowed within the speaker mount cavity.

Like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts throughout the several figures.

An overview of the features, functions and/or configuration of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described. Some of these non-discussed features as well as discussed features are inherent from the figures. Other non discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures there is shown an exemplary embodiment of an audio broadcasting hat generally designated 10 fashioned in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The audio broadcasting hat 10 is configured to externally broadcast audio so as to be heard by others in the surrounding area. The audio broadcasting hat 10 is shown as a hard hat but may be any other type of hat such as a sports helmet, cap or the like that embodies the principles of the present invention.

The audio broadcasting hat 10 is defined by a body or shell 12 having a domed head portion 14 and a brim 16. As a hard hat, the audio broadcasting hat 10 is made from a suitable plastic or the like. Depending on the type of hat, the fabrication material may be different. Likewise, the shape of the hat may be different as desired. The audio broadcasting hat 10 includes a digital audio player 20 or the like such as is known in the art. The digital audio player 20 is shown situated in the rear of the hat but may be positioned elsewhere as desired. The digital audio player 20 has the usual features and functions of typical digital audio players such as controls, digital audio storage, battery, inputs, outputs and the like. As such, the digital audio player 20 accepts inputted digital audio from an external audio source. The digital audio player 20 may also include a radio (AM, FM, satellite or the like).

The audio broadcasting hat 10 has a first speaker 22 supported in a first speaker mount 26 that is situated on one side of the audio broadcasting hat 10. A second speaker 24 is supported in a second speaker mount 32 that is situated on another side of the audio broadcasting hat 10. The first speaker 22 and first speaker mount 26 are shown situated on a right side of the audio broadcasting hat 10 while the second speaker 24 and the second speaker mount are shown situated on the left side of the audio broadcasting hat 10 when the audio broadcasting hat is worn in a normal manner. Speaker and speaker mount placement may be different as desired. Moreover, the present audio broadcasting hat 10 may have only one speaker or may have more than two speakers. Speakers may or may not be disposed in a mount.

The first speaker 22 is connected via a wire 23 to the digital audio player 20 while the second speaker 24 is connected via a wire 25 to the digital audio player such that audio from the digital audio player 20 is played through the first and second speakers 22, 24. The first speaker mount 26 is connected to upper and lower hinges 27 and 29 of the body 12 that allow the first speaker mount 26 to pivot or swing relative to the body 12. Alternatively, the first speaker mount 26 may be pivotally connected to the body 12 via a single hinge or by more, than two hinges as desired. In any case, the first speaker mount 26 and thus the first speaker 22 may be moved from a fully closed position as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 5 to a fully open position as shown in FIG. 4 (and vice versa). Likewise, the second speaker mount 32 is connected to upper and lower hinges 33 and 35 of the body 12 that allow the second speaker mount 32 to pivot or swing relative to the body 12. Alternatively, the second speaker mount 32 may be pivotally connected to the body 12 via a single hinge or by more than two hinges as desired. In any case, the second speaker mount 32 and thus the second speaker 24 may be moved from a fully closed position as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 to a fully open position as is shown in FIG. 4 (and vice versa). The first and second speaker mounts 26, 32 may also be moved into intermediate positions that are between the fully closed position and the fully open position.

When the first and/or second speaker mounts 26, 32 are in the fully open position and/or any intermediate position (see FIG. 4) the first and second speakers 22, 24 are in an external broadcasting or play mode or position. Thus, audio from the digital audio player 20 projects outwardly and/or externally from the speakers 22, 24 so that the audio can be heard by people proximate the audio broadcasting hat 10 limited only by the volume thereof. When the first and/or second speaker mounts 26, 32 are in the fully closed position (see, e.g. FIG. 3), the first and second speakers 22, 24 are either off and/or in an internal broadcasting or playing mode or position. When off, no sound is provided through the speakers. When in the internal broadcasting mode, audio from the digital audio player 20 projects inwardly and/or internally from the speakers 22, 24 so that the audio can be heard only by the wearer.

The fully open through intermediate positions may be termed externally broadcasting or playing positions while the fully closed position may be termed an internally broadcasting or playing position (or an off position if there is no internally broadcasting position). Of course, if the speakers are not mounted in pivoting or movable speaker mounts such as in non-movable speaker mounts or are fixed to the hat, the speakers are always in a broadcasting mode or position (i.e. in an externally broadcasting mode or position).

One of the hinges of the speaker mount 30 may include a switch that automatically turns on the speaker 22 (i.e. allows the audio from the wire 23 to reach the speaker 22) so as to automatically put the speaker 22 into the external broadcasting mode when pivoted into an open position from the closed position (from an off or internally broadcasting speaker mode). Alternatively, a switch such as just described may be provided that is independent of a hinge. In like manner, one of the hinges of the speaker mount 32 may include a switch that automatically turns on the speaker 24 (i.e. allows the audio from the wire 25 to reach the speaker 24) so as to automatically put the speaker 24 into the external broadcasting mode when pivoted into an open position from the closed position (from an off or internally broadcasting speaker mode).

The domed head portion 14 has a first cavity 30 that is sized and configured to receive and stow the speaker mount 26 and thus the first speaker 22 when the first speaker mount 26 is in the closed position. The domed head portion 14 likewise has a second cavity 36 that is sized and configured to receive and stow the second speaker mount 32 and thus the second speaker 24 when the second speaker mount 32 is in the closed position. FIG. 5 shows an enlarged partial sectional view of the present audio broadcasting hat 10 particularly of the first cavity 30 wherein the first speaker mount 26 is in a stowed or closed position within the first cavity 30. The first cavity 30 is defined in a liner 18 of the domed head portion 14. The first speaker 22 faces inwardly toward the wearer of the audio broadcasting hat 10. In like manner, the second cavity 36 is defined in the liner 18 of the domed head portion 14.

A user digital audio player control 40 such as a push button or the like is situated on the brim 16 of the audio broadcasting hat 10. The user control 40 is coupled via wire 41 to the digital audio player 20 such that the user control 40 is able to control the features, functions, audio playback, volume, audio selection, on/off, and the like of the digital audio player 20. Since the user control 40 is located on the brim 16 of the body 12, it is easily manipulated by the wearer's finger(s). It should be appreciated that the user control 40 may be provided at different location on the hat other than the brim. The user control 40 may not be provided as integral with the hat but may be provided at the end of a cord connected to the digital audio player 20. Other manners of control of the digital audio player 20 may be provided. Moreover, the type of user control may vary.

The audio broadcasting hat 10 may also have one or more lights or light devices. The present audio broadcasting hat 10 is shown having first and second lights 50 and 52. The first and second lights 50 and 52 are preferably LEDs but may be other types of lights. Alternatively, the audio broadcasting hat 10 may have one light or more than two lights. The first and second lights 50 and 52 are connected to each other via wire 53. The second light 52 is connected to a light controller 56 via wire 57. The light controller 56 is configured to provide power to the first and second lights 50 and 52 as well as control lighting effects. With the single wire system as shown, the light controller 56 controls both lights at once. Each light, however, may be controlled separately if desired.

The light controller 56 is connected to a user light control 60 that the user control 60 is able to control the features, functions, on/off, and the like of the light controller 56. Since the user control 60 is located on the brim 16 of the body 12, it is easily manipulated by the wearer's finger(s). It should be appreciated that the user control 60 may be provided at different location on the hat other than the brim. The user control 60 may not be provided as integral with the hat but may be provided at the end of a cord connected to the light controller 56. Other manners of control of the light controller 56 may be provided. Moreover, the type of user control may vary.

The light controller 56 provides many different lighting effects. For instance, the light controller 56 may strobe, flash or be synchronized to the audio being broadcast from the speakers. An optional wire 63 may thus be provided to connect the light controller 56 to the digital audio player 20. The light controller 56 may include an audio receptor for receiving broadcast audio and then controlling the lights as desired. The lights may be color changing lights whose light color changes per the audio being broadcast or otherwise. The lights may be directly connected to the digital audio player 20 rather than through a light controller 56. Other variations are contemplated.

The present audio broadcasting hat 10 may have various colors, numbers, names, symbols, indicia or insignias for a particular team, driver, association, fraternity, event, player or the like in order to correspond to the particular audio being broadcast. As well, the lights may be a particular color to likewise correspond to the particular audio being broadcast or particular team, driver, player or the like being promoted.

The digital audio player 20 may be pre-provided with various audio (e.g. songs, jingles, talk, commentary or the like) that is particular to the particular team, driver, association, fraternity, event, player or the like that may or may not be (but preferably is) in association with the indicia or insignia provided on the audio broadcasting hat 10.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only a preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

1. A hat comprising: a body configured to be received on a head of a wearer; a digital audio player associated with the body and configured to play digital audio; and a speaker connected to the body and connected to the digital audio player, the speaker configured to externally broadcast audio from the digital audio player.
 2. The hat of claim 1, further comprising a user control for the digital audio player provided integral with the body.
 3. The hat of claim 2, wherein the user control for the digital audio player is situated in a brim of the hat.
 4. The hat of claim 1, wherein the speaker is connected to the body via a pivoting mount that is movable between and open position and a closed position, the open position allowing the speaker to externally broadcast audio from the digital audio player to the surrounding area.
 5. The hat of claim 4, wherein the closed position allows the speaker to internally broadcast audio from the digital audio player to the wearer of the hat.
 6. The hat of claim 4, wherein the closed position prevents the speaker from broadcasting any audio from the digital audio player.
 7. The hat of claim 1, further comprising a light system associated with the body, the light system having a light and a light controller connected to the light, the light controller adapted to provide various light effects for the light.
 8. The hat of claim 7, wherein the light system further comprises a user control for the light controller provided integral with the body.
 9. The hat of claim 8, wherein the user control for the light controller is integral with a brim of the hat.
 10. A hat comprising: a body configured to be received on a head of a wearer; a digital audio player associated with the body and configured to play digital audio; a first mount pivotally connected to the body; a first speaker disposed in the first mount and connected to the digital audio player, the first speaker adapted to externally broadcast audio from the digital audio player; a second mount pivotally connected to the body; and a second speaker disposed in the second mount and connected to the digital audio player, the second speaker adapted to externally broadcast audio from the digital audio player.
 11. The hat of claim 10, wherein the first mount is connected to the body on one side of the body and the second mount is connected to the body on another side of the body opposite the first mount.
 12. The hat of claim 10, wherein the body has a first cavity formed in a first side of the body and a second cavity formed in a second side of the body, the first cavity configured to receive the first mount when the first mount is in a closed position, and the second cavity configured to receive the second mount when the second mount is in a closed position.
 13. The hat of claim 12, wherein the first and second mounts are movable into an open position from the closed positions, the open positions allowing the external broadcasting of audio from the digital audio player to the surrounding area.
 14. The hat of claim 10, wherein the first and second mounts are movable into an open position and closed position, the open position allowing the first and second speakers to externally broadcast audio from the digital audio player to the surrounding area.
 15. The hat of claim 14, wherein the closed position allows the first and second speakers to internally broadcast audio from the digital audio player to the wearer of the hat.
 16. The hat of claim 14, wherein the closed position prevents the first and second speakers from broadcasting any audio from the digital audio player.
 17. The hat of claim 10, further comprising a light system associated with the body, the light system having a light and a light controller connected to the light, the light controller adapted to provide various light effects for the light.
 18. The hat of claim 17, wherein the light system further comprises a user control for the light controller provided integral with the body.
 19. The hat of claim 18, wherein the user control for the light controller is integral with a brim of the hat. 